A Magistrate Court in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, has ordered the remand of social media critic, Mr. Polycap Obinna Alegu, for allegedly defaming the Secretary to the Ebonyi State Government (SSG), Mrs. Grace Umezurike, on his Facebook account.
Alegu, 36, appeared before Magistrate Court I, presided over by Chief Magistrate Sandra Ifeanyi-Onyibe, facing a two-count charge of criminal defamation and cybercrime.
The charges, filed under case number MAB/7c/2026, allege that Alegu posted false and malicious content targeting the SSG on December 16, 2025.
Count One accuses him of publishing defamatory material contrary to Section 375(A) of the Criminal Code Act, Cap C38, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
Count Two alleges that he knowingly made false and defamatory publications online, in violation of Section 24(1)(b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) (Amendment) Act.
During proceedings, Alegu’s counsel, Mr. Sunday Ununu, challenged the authority of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to initiate the case, arguing that only the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) could institute criminal proceedings.
The Magistrate dismissed this objection, affirming that the NSCDC is empowered to prosecute cases on behalf of the AGF.
Alegu denied the allegations, claiming that his Facebook accounts were hacked and that he was not responsible for the alleged posts.
Defence counsel applied for bail, citing credible sureties, but counsel for the NSCDC, Mrs. Linda Akam, opposed the application, citing jurisdictional limitations.
The Magistrate ruled that there was a prima facie case against Alegu and directed that the case file be sent to the Department of Public Prosecution (DPP) at the Ebonyi State Ministry of Justice for further legal guidance.
The matter was adjourned to January 26, 2026, for a report of compliance.
